2 students sue Portland State University over 'harassing' letters sent after protest

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Two Portland State University students filed lawsuits against the school, alleging unlawful retaliation after the school sent "harassing" letters to the students who participated in an on-campus protest in May.

The lawsuits were filed on Monday, as first reported by OPB, and come after the students filed a tort claim on May 29 notifying the school of their intent to sue.

In their tort claim, the students said they were part of a peaceful protest against violence in Gaza on campus when officers engaged in unlawful use of force against them -- including assault and battery, as first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

After sending the tort claim, the students allege that on June 4, PSU sent them "harassing" and "baseless" letters “threatening possible violations of the Code of Student Conduct."

The lawsuit furthers that PSU’s letter violated the school’s own Code of Student Conduct by failing to identify “alleged violations” that the plaintiffs engaged in.

The complaint added, “after sending its June 4, 2024, letter, Portland State University refused to confirm the source of ‘information’ that was purportedly provided to the Office of the Dean of Student Life as referenced in the letter.”

The students allege they were harassed by the letter and that it interfered with their ability to study for final exams. Both of the lawsuits seek $450,000 for noneconomic damages including emotional distress, inconvenience, and interference with normal activities.

"If the University's harassing letters were not triggered by our clients' tort claim notices, then we call on the University President to explain the true motivation behind the letters,” the students’ attorney Michael Fuller of OlsenDaines told KOIN 6 News.

"It's illegal for a university to retaliate against a student who reports a violation. Our clients reported a violation of Oregon's use of force law. Five days later the University harassed our clients with vague threatening letters from the Office of the Dean of Student Life,” Fuller added.

Portland State University told KOIN 6 News the school cannot comment on pending litigation or share protected student information as part of student conduct processes.